NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Browns stumble

After blowing out Pittsburgh in last week, many people (including myself) thought the Browns were on a big upswing, especially given their next three games were against the Jaguars, Raiders, and Buccaneers. Those teams combined to be 1-16 heading into last weekend.

As we all know, things change very quickly in the NFL. The Browns went from being talked about nationally as a contender in the AFC North, to being a team that face-planted against one of the worst teams in the league. The criticism for losing in Jacksonville is completely warranted.

The national media is starting to jump off the Browns hype-train, and subsequently the Brian Hoyer hype-train as well. So let's take a look at where they're ranking the Browns this week.

SB Nation: 17

"Sliding into mediocrity:

...

The Browns went down to Jacksonville this week with positive vibes after their blowout of the Steelers at home last week, but fell hard to the previously winless Jags."

Yahoo! Sports: 18

"There are reports the Browns briefly thought about benching Brian Hoyer for Johnny Manziel as Hoyer struggled on Sunday. There's a simple reason they didn't do it: Once you do that, the controversy begins again. Coach Mike Pettine doesn't want that now."

CBS Sports: 22

"So much for all that playoff talk and the rush to give Brian Hoyer a long-term extension? One loss can do that."

Pro Football Talk: 17

"The Browns hobble with one less appendage toward Trap Game No. 2."

Last week the story in the Power Rankings was how high the outlets were shooting the Browns. This week they're starting to bring them back down. Rightfully so, after an embarrassing loss to the Jags. Honestly, I'm a little surprised the national outlets I've listed above didn't bail harder.

In review of these, I think they're mostly fair. To break it out even further, here's my breakdown for where I see teams now as we near the midpoint of the season. Feel free to demolish these breakdowns in the comments.

*Note: teams are in no particular order under each heading.

Legit Super Bowl contenders:

Broncos
Cowboys
Packers
Colts

Good playoff teams:

Eagles
Cardinals
Ravens
Chargers

Potentially good playoff teams:

Patriots
Niners
Seahawks
Lions

Teams better than the Browns:

Chiefs
Bengals
Panthers

About the same as the Browns:

Bills
Bears
Steelers
Dolphins
Giants

Worse than the Browns:

Texans
Saints
Rams
Falcons
Washington
Vikings
Jets
Buccaneers
Titans
Jaguars
Raiders

So that's pretty much how I have it in my head. What do you all think, agree, disagree? Where do you have the Browns slotted?